The Best Dog Pacifiers: Reviewed and Ranked

Dog pacifiers are a type of dog toy that appeals to both dogs and their human companions. We love the cute appeal and photo opportunities that they present. Our dogs love the feel and sound of them.

As the name suggests, dog pacifiers are designed to direct your dog’s attention away from more destructive behavior. So, instead of chewing your shoe or the table leg, your dog satisfies their urge to chew with the pacifier. This will be a priority for you if you have a Labrador or a Chihuahua in your home because chewing is an obsession for these breeds.

Also, pacifiers can be useful to get a dog to settle quietly in their bed or crate whilst you get on with fixing dinner. They can be successfully used to help with anxiety but are not suitable for separation anxiety because you should not leave dogs unsupervised with these chew toys. An added benefit is that these toys scrape plaque from your dog’s teeth as they chew which is excellent for dental health. For puppies, they provide relief from the discomfort of teething. It’s a better option than them gnawing on your hand or toes when they are going through the ‘mouthing’ stage.

Here are the best dog pacifiers for aggressive chewers, for teethers, soft chew toys, affordable, novelty and overall. Take a look!

Top Picks for the Best Dog Pacifier: Ranked and Rated

#1 Overall Best Dog Pacifier: Foufit Paci Chew

In our review, the best overall dog pacifier is the Foufit Paci Chew. It manages to combine cuteness (it’s shaped like a human baby pacifier) with practicality. There is also a choice of sizes and colors so many breeds and both genders of dog are catered to. Reviewers said that their dogs loved the multiple textures which kept their interest and, of course, the squeaker!

It’s made from TPR rubber, which is both tough and soft so you can give one of these to a young pup or to an older dog. The textured surface helps to remove plaque. No toy is indestructible and there will always be dogs who can tear anything apart, but this dog chew toy does a good job of standing up to most chewing. You will need the larger size (3.94 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches) for medium breeds because the smaller size (3.94 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches) could present a choking hazard.

Some pet parents reported that their dogs quickly chewed this pacifier to bits, some by the end of the first day.

Pros and Cons of the Foufit Paci Chew

Best Overall

fouFIT Paci Chew Dog Toy

• Adorable pacifier shape
• Available in a variety of sizes and colors
• Various textures keep dogs engaged and help remove plaque
• Made of durable rubber material that is soft yet stands up to vigorous chewing

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2. Best Dog Pacifier for Teething Pups: Nylabone Puppy Chew Toys

Nylabone have 60 years of experience in manufacturing dog chews, so you can be sure that their Puppy Chew Toys will be designed specifically for your puppy. These pacifiers are only suitable for pups up to 25 pounds and would not suit a dog that has adult teeth. If you also have adult dogs, you will need to supervise closely to make sure that they do not get hold of them because they will shred these pacifiers.

These puppy pacifiers are available in seven styles, four sizes, and four flavors!

According to reviewers, these chew toys satisfied pups’ desire to chew, which directed their attention away from shoes and furniture. Everything about the toy attracts and keeps a pup’s attention including the movement, shape, texture and flavor. We also love that Nylabone donates thousands of chews to dog shelters every year.

Some buyers reported that their dogs chewed these pacifiers up pretty quickly.

Pros and Cons of Nylabone Puppy Chew Toys

Nylabone Teething Pacifier Puppy Chew Toy

• Nylabone is a trusted name in dog chews that donates to animal shelters
• Suitable for dogs up to 25 lbs
• Satisfies a teething dog's urge to chew
• Fun and vibrant shape and color keeps dog's attention

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3. Best Budget Dog Pacifier: Ethical Pet Pacifier

For those who have several dogs, are on a limited budget, or who have dogs that get through several pacifiers a year, the Ethical Pet Pacifier will not break the bank. It’s 4 inches long, making it just right for smaller dogs and pups.

These toys are made from silicone and come in a wide range of bright colors, and are sold in packs of two. Reviewers reported that their dogs loved the texture and couldn’t get enough of the squeak. These pet pacifiers would not stand up to a large dog or an aggressive chewer though.

Negative reviews were hard to come by. One buyer reported that the squeaker broke in three minutes. Another said their dog chewed the pacifier to bits within three days.

Best on a Budget

Ethical Pet Pacifier Squeaky Puppy Chew Toy

• Four-inch paci is perfect size for small dogs and puppies
• Affordable pricetag makes purchasing multiples or replacements do-able
• Made of silicone and available in a variety of colors
• Engaging texture and squeaking noise make it a fast dog-favorite

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4. Best Dog Pacifier for Aggressive Chewers: Arm and Hammer Chew Toy

It can seem that strong chewers miss out on the benefits of a chew toy because they destroy them. It’s good to see that Arm and Hammer have produced a toy that they describe ‘as intended for use by the most powerful chewers. It’s made from thermal plastic rubber with raised nubs to clean on the gum line. As well as pacifying your dog, these toys provide excellent dental care at the same time.

Reviewers’ dogs loved the peanut butter flavor and the fizz that they got from the bicarbonate of soda. We loved the way that it freshened their breath! It’s suitable for dogs up to 35 pounds and is in an unusual T-bone shape that appeals to dogs. Be careful though because it would be too hard for pups who may break their tiny teeth on the tough material.

Pros and Cons of the Arm and Hammer Chew Toy

Best for Aggressive Chewers

Arm & Hammer Ora-Play Dental Chew Toy

• Designed specifically for aggressive chewers
• Tough thermal rubber design can withstand strong gnawing and chewing
• Raised nubs massage and gently clean the gums
• Comes with peanut butter flavoring and in the shape of a t-bone steak
• Suitable for dogs up to 35 lbs

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5. Best Novelty Dog Pacifier: Foufit Paci Chew

This is our recommended option for a gift, or if you simply feel like having a laugh. The Foufit Paci Chew is a fun product that looks just like a pair of huge, red lips. It’s hilarious to see your dog walking around chewing it and it even bounces if you throw it which is even more fun. It’s made from TPR rubber and has a squeaker.

One thing to watch out for is that it only measures 2.4 x 1.6 x 2.1 inches so it could present a choking hazard for larger dogs. It stands up to chewing by smaller dogs and pups very well.

Pros and Cons of the Foufit Paci Chew

Best Novelty

Paci-Chew Chew Toy for Dogs

• Hilarious lip-shaped design creates endless laughs
• Bounces when you throw, so great for playing catch
• Made of TPR rubber and includes a squeaker
• Designed for puppies and small dogs; may be a choking hazard for larger dogs

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Choosing the Best Dog Pacifier: What to Look For

Cuteness impact is not all you should be thinking about when choosing a dog pacifier. The other factors that you should bear in mind are durability, size, price, texture and how attractive it is to dogs as well as some safety issues.

Durability

This is the most important factor to consider. Be realistic about how powerful your dog’s teeth are and how likely they are to tear the pacifier to shreds. Some products are designed for ‘aggressive chewers’ but there is no such thing as an indestructible dog toy.

Size

The size in relation to your dog’s mouth is critically important both for the safety and usefulness of the dog pacifier. If it is too small, it can present a choking hazard. If it is too big,

your dog will not be able to get their jaw around it. This is not satisfying for your dog and they will soon lose interest.

Price

In general, a more expensive dog pacifier will be better made, from superior materials and will last longer but that is not guaranteed. The reputation and experience of the company are also important.

Texture

The thing that dogs find so amazing about dog pacifiers is often the texture. Toys with raised nubs are more satisfying to chew. They are also better at scraping plaque off teeth and therefore promote dental health.

Dog Attraction

There is no point in buying a dog pacifier that your dog hates. This is the top list of what attracts a dog: flavor, texture, shape and noise.

Phthalate-Free

As responsible dog owners, we are increasingly concerned about the long-term effect that the chemicals used in dog toys could have both on our dog’s health and on the environment. If you carefully read the manufacturer’s description of the dog toy, you may see it described as ‘phthalate free’. So, what are these chemicals and should dog owners be worried about them?  

Phthalates have a characteristic vinyl odor. If the pacifier smells like this after a few days of use, it probably contains a high proportion of phthalates. An interesting Danish study found that these chemicals leached out when a dog licked and chewed the toys. If bits broke off the toy and entered their digestive tract, even more of the chemical entered the blood stream. Phthalates have been connected with liver and kidney damage in many types of animals including dogs so it is best to avoid toys containing these.

BPA-Free

This is another term used by dog toy manufacturers. BPA is short for bisphenol A, and is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Several studies have suggested that it can interrupt how hormones work in the body and one study has shown that it enters a dog’s body when they chew toys. It may leach out into their saliva. So, this looks like another one to avoid if you can.

The Different Types of Dog Pacifier: Pros and Cons Compared

Dog pacifiers can be made out of a number of different materials. Each has different properties that give the dog toy advantages and disadvantages. Most dog pacifiers are made from either thermoplastic rubber (TPR rubber), latex, plastic or fabric. Let’s take a closer look at all four of these.

• Thermoplastic rubber (TPR rubber). This is a type of synthetic rubber that is a mixture of natural rubber and plastic. The pros are that it has good resistance to abrasion and tearing and is considered non-toxic On the downside, it is a bit more expensive than some other materials.
• Latex. Dog toys can be made from natural or synthetic latex. On the plus side, it is strong and durable. On the downside, synthetic latex contains artificial chemicals that you may prefer to avoid.
• Plastic. Toys that are made from ‘plastic’ could contain a range of chemicals, they are widely available and cheap. However, prolonged exposure to the chemicals could have potential health implications.
• Fabric. Fabric toys are adored by both pups and adult dogs. Their disadvantage is that they do not score very highly for durability and may only last a day or two!

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

We think durability is the key issue with dog pacifiers. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, in terms of value for money, no one wants to buy a dog product that only lasts a few hours or days. Secondly, pacifiers can present a risk to dog safety if parts of them are chewed off and swallowed. They present both a choking hazard and a risk of damaging the intestines.

We would always recommend buying a toy that is specifically designed for your dog’s age and breed. Let’s look at age first. Puppies have very specific chewing needs. They need a pacifier that is not too hard and will not damage their little teeth. Pacifiers that have a bit of ‘give’ in them and soft nubs were more popular with our pup testers. Older dogs need a more robust toy. Dog adult teeth are highly destructive and some of our ‘aggressive chewers’ can rip apart most toys. The nubs need to be strong so that they can scrape off plaque and keep your dog’s mouth fresh. Manufacturers like to come up with lots of different colors and designs but in our experience, these appealed more to the human testers than their dogs!

The issue of squeakers in dog’s pacifiers divided our team of reviewers. The majority of dogs loved them but many of our humans found them very irritating. It’s up to you to decide how much squeaking you can tolerate!

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